South Korea national football team internal conflict

Rumors of internal turmoil within the South Korean national football team emerged following reports of a potential collective retirement by players born in 1996, including Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom, and Hwang Hee-chan. While some players denied retirement, reports indicated a generational divide between veteran players like Son Heung-min and the younger group. This period was marked by online harassment of Lee Kang-in and physical fatigue reported by Kim Min-jae.

The situation escalated to a parliamentary audit of the Korea Football Association (KFA). During the inquiry, lawmakers questioned the KFA regarding team cohesion, citing allegations that players avoided using Son Heung-min’s name, instead referring to him as ‘number 7’ or ‘that person.’

Testimony indicated that key players expressed psychological and physical exhaustion regarding team management. In response to grievances, KFA officials held meetings with players born in 1996. KFA Acting President Lee Yong-soo acknowledged the reported difficulties but maintained that the association prefers to resolve locker room matters internally.